ANYONE planning on going to the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge this year is being urged to travel on public transport this year. 

It takes place this year from 7pm on Thursday, June 20 to 8am on Friday June 2024

With limited parking,  a road closure and diversions in place, English Heritage and Salisbury Reds are keen for those making the journey to use the bus operator’s special 333 service - which will be running between Salisbury and the Stones well into the night and back to the city from sunrise. 

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(Image: Newsquest)

“We know how important it is for many people to be at Stonehenge for Summer Solstice, and we are expecting traffic to be particularly heavy around the site,” said Salisbury Reds general manager, Andrew Sherrington.

“Our services will be running from Salisbury throughout Thursday evening from 6.30pm right up until 1am on Friday morning.

"Then we’ll start to take people back from 4am until 10am - with stops along the way. "

In keeping with what has become a tradition, English Heritage will be livestreaming the midsummer solstice sunset and sunrise from Stonehenge to homes around the world this year via YouTube and Facebook.

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Parking is very limited at Stonehenge and the roads around Stonehenge over the solstice period will be busy. With road closures and diversions in place this year, English Heritage urges those planning to make the journey in person to consider using public transport or to car share. 

Drivers are advised to follow solstice specific diversion signs rather than their sat nav systems, and this year, parking can be reserved in advance to help manage traffic flow into the limited parking spaces available. Book your parking spot on the English Heritage website.

The A360 road to the south of the A303 between Salisbury’s Avenue roundabout and Longbarrow roundabout is temporarily closed. Drivers are advised to follow diversion signs.

Stonehenge will close to visitors at 3pm on Thursday 20 June (last admissions 1pm) and will reopen for solstice Managed Open Access at 7pm.

The site will be open throughout the night and close at 8am on Friday 21 June, the longest day of the year.

Mr Sherrington added: “Summer Solstice is an extraordinary event that draws many visitors throughout the night each year. The aim is to make it as easy as possible for people to come and experience the extraordinary atmosphere here - without having to worry about how they will get home.

“Tickets for the 333 service can be purchased directly from the driver - or be booked in advance via our app, making it easy to ensure a smooth journey to-and-from Stonehenge for this unforgettable experience.”

The service leaves New Canal, stopping at Salisbury train station and Amesbury Centre along the way, before arriving at Stonehenge. 

For more information go to salisburyreds.co.uk/solstice